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Arizona State University and the surrounding community are invited to the groundbreaking of Block 12 – College Avenue Commons, the future space of the Del E. Webb School of Construction and other university resources.

Taking place at 3:30 p.m., Jan. 24, on 7th St. and College Ave. in Tempe, the event will feature building displays, food and a brief presentation from ASU President Michael Crow about the intentions for the space. Parking is available in the Fulton Center Parking Garage.

The building is part of a longstanding partnership between ASU and the City of Tempe to expand the Tempe campus in order to fulfill the growing need for educational space.

“We are very excited for this collaboration with the City of Tempe. We hope this project will set in motion the future extension of Cady Mall,” said Ed Soltero, assistant vice president, university architect, in the Office of the University Architect.

Aside from classroom and administrative space, Block 12 will house a Grab and Go market, café, bookstore component, study space and the Experience ASU tour group.

“The teaching space and auditorium will be the first glimpse that prospective students and parents have of ASU, so we want it to reflect a very urban, innovative and sustainable design,” said Soltero.

The development of College Avenue between 6th and 7th streets into a flexible urban space to support special events also will feature sustainability initiatives.

Keeping in mind the hot Arizona summers, Soltero assures there will also be plenty of shaded areas for students to socialize and study. Future plans include retail space and a roof deck. The project is set to be completed by July 2014.

Block 12 joins a list of acquired educational space by ASU. The university recently purchased the University Center in Tempe and the Centerpoint Office Building to accommodate research and administrative needs.